Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1887-01-27
WASHINGTON LETTER.


NASHI<t,TON, Jan. I Jtu, l SS..
Congress has paid special attention
to farmers this week. Ii has discussed
the question of interstate commerce.
OF so much importance TO them; has
talked about how best to eradicate
pleuro o-pneumonia; has made an at
tempt to consider the bib amenda-
tory of the act establishing bureau
of animal industry, and the house has
succeeded in eleva.ing the agricultural
department to executive Importance.
SO, when the senate concurs, the com
missioner of agriculture will have n
seat i'm he cabinet, and bo caiie,i the
secxetary of agriculture, AMI his wife
will assist at the White House recep-
tions OF state occasions.
There will also be in the depart
ment OF agriculture a division which
shall be under the charge of a commits
sioncr OF labor. who shall hold his
Office for four years, and receive a sal
AIRY OF $1,000 year. His business
shall he to collect Information on the
subject Of labor, its relation to capt
tai, the hours OF labor, the rate of
wages. the cost of production of the
article produced, the earnings OF the
laboring men and women. the means
of promoting their material, social,
intellectual and moral prosperity,
81 L. .,f Ia
and preventing accidents in mines,
; workshops, factories, and other
places OF industry.
The secretary of agriculture is en-
powered by the hill just passed. to
inquire into the causes OF discomfort
which may exist between employers
and employees within the United
,, States, and he may invite aud hear
sworn statement from both such par
| ties concerning matters in "ontro-
vcrsy.
Another important step has been
taken in the permanent exposition
r movement. The senatorial commit
tee on this subject have reported IN
favor OF commeinorating the great
. constitutional centennial in 1899,
/ and very properly Washington has
a been selected as the place for holding
(, it. The committee has not vet re
I ported upon the manner of the pro-
,, posed celebration, or in regard TO the
auadri-centennial of 1892, but the
= action now taken furnishes sufficient
assurance that the entire programme,
: rs contemplated by the board OF pro
J, motion and including its exposition
E features, will receive the endorsement
|. of congress.
. There are Il number of absentees
J from the senate chamber during 'hes'
I exciting days of senatorial contests
j. Senator's Congcr and Mcmillan have
+ not returned from their fruitles en-
rands to secure reelection. Senator
, Sewall is ut New Jersey scapital, look
e ing aiier his fences. Senators Miller
and Van Van Wyck are in Now iori
/, and Nebraska, respectively, lookin!
2 after their interests, senator Noor
:. hee, and Harrison are in lndianap
Oils marshaline the opposing forces
and senator MaNey went to Texas il
pursuit OF Congressman Reagan. Th'
T. race of these rivals caused SOM
e amusement.
j. senator Maxey heard of Nr. hen
e gans departure about twenty minute
/. after the latter's train Steamed ava,
,e from tie station, an.l immediate .cly Ia
: ordered his trunk and engaged sleep
% in, ear accommodations 10 Austin
,l Mr. Reagan had about three hours tn
" start. hut az he tool; the Virginia Md
!, land. and Senator Maxcy the It Loui
- rou,e. il became no; only II rare for IN
r sent orship. brt II lively race as vel
: tn see which would b. he first to en-
.e ter the legislature on openi'.; day.
>. The house of representatives wa
I. much -tifr' up over the anti-poiy1
amy bill When j, came mp fo. con
t, -ideration on Wednesday, the dele,at
! fron Utah. Mr.. Cainr. took the Zoo
ir in - lon- speech which commando
thr closest attention. lie said til
/, nlea,;lre Wa un,iemoeratie, un-Nme #
a lean, and wantonly destructive o
T. human ri-1.... that I, ssa AZ uau.h
the immu,abie principles upon Hhlel
N tl,"ronmon rights al iuisI wcr. fotyI'i
.el. aul Turned he Mormon, and thei
. church over to Unsuitable -p5i,cfs
iielcgrtr Came attracted tna Hhct
!. house around him an', excited the II
re-. tort-t ol the g,'llerics during his -pifi'
Il o., defense of he -nlt I.tks hierJg,hy
There na- "a good G,.l 81 uI;.,fune
Of -. .hrinn among members touchin
r. t1, roa.ti stionality O. some ica.,lrr
oi the Mormon bill. Ii proposes =
- .xeia.ni.h What l. known a. the Mo!
mon church. AMI scatter or divide q
properly among those vino do not b,
~- li.tc in its ,ehet : or practices. som
IT, members argued that the constitution
+; which prohibits the establishment c
H. any church or form of religion, was T.
,le invoked to dise,tabli>h and extil
tp4,. an Object ioneb'e creed. and tia